Donald Trump's defence chief claims Iran attack was shared with lawmakers

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth was asked when congress was informed that President Trump had taken executive action to launch an offensive on Iran
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth revealed to journalists that Congress was not informed about Saturday's strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities until after they had taken place.
In a press briefing on Sunday morning, the former Fox News pundit turned Trump ally responded to reporters' queries about the surprising move. When one journalist asked the 45-year-old when Congress was notified that the president had taken executive action, he answered, "They were notified after the planes were safely out."
‌
After a brief pause, he added, "Uh, we complied with the notification requirements of the War Powers Act." Then, a moment later, he stated: "They were. ..immediately thereafter"
‌
Several politicians from both parties have criticised Trump's action, accusing the president of acting unconstitutionally. Congressman Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican and vocal opponent of U.S. involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict, reacted on X just minutes after Trump announced the offensive, stating, "This is not Constitutional."
Massie has been a key figure behind a bipartisan war powers resolution aimed at preventing American military engagement in the ongoing Middle East tensions, reports the Mirror US.
Others were more restrained in their criticism while still expressing concern about executive overreach, with Republican Warren Davidson, a congressman for Ohio tweeting: "While President Trump's decision may prove just, it's hard to conceive a rationale that's Constitutional."
Marjorie Taylor Greene, a staunch Trump supporter, has openly criticised the President for siding with Israel in its conflict against Iran.
‌
On social media, she fumed: "Every time America is on the verge of greatness, we get involved in another foreign war."
She also pointed out the cause and effect of the hostilities: "There would not be bombs falling on the people of Israel if Netanyahu had not dropped bombs on the people of Iran first."
The political sphere was caught off guard by Trump's sudden move, especially since he had previously declared that he would take "two weeks" to decide on US involvement in Israel's conflict with Iran.
‌
Trump had earlier indicated a period of contemplation, saying, "Based on the fact that there's a substantial chance of negotiation that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go in the next two weeks," as read by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt last Thursday.
In a surprising admission, Trump acknowledged his collaboration with Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in orchestrating the strikes, expressing gratitude towards Netanyahu for his backing.
Netanyahu reciprocated the sentiment on Fox News, stating, "Tonight, President Trump and the US acted with a lot of strength. President Trump, I thank you. The people of Israel thank you."
According to the Iranian state-affiliated news agency, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard issued a stern response: "Today's act of aggression by the terrorist American regime has granted the Islamic Republic of Iran the legitimate right to act in self-defense, including through options that go beyond the delusional calculations of the aggressor coalition."
The comments were somewhat enigmatic regarding the specific 'options', but the menace was unmistakable. With an air of defiance, they continued: "The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is well-versed in the realities of this full-scale hybrid war and will never be intimidated by the noise of Trump or the criminal gangs ruling Washington and Tel Aviv."

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Scottish Sun

8 minutes ago

• Scottish Sun

Trump calls for ‘regime change' to ‘make Iran great again' after ‘monumental' nuke blitz as Tehran vows to revenge

DON'S MIGA CALL Trump calls for 'regime change' to 'make Iran great again' after 'monumental' nuke blitz as Tehran vows to revenge Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DONALD Trump has floated the idea of a regime change in Tehran to "Make Iran Great Again" after bombing the Islamic Republic. Less than a day after the US military blitzed three key facilities central to the Iranians' nuclear ambitions, Trump hinted that the Mullahs' regime could well be toppled. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 United States President Donald J Trump addressed the nation after bombing Iran Credit: AP 4 Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei could be toppled, Trump suggested 4 Crowds holding Iranian flags gather in the Revolution Square in the capital Credit: Getty 4 Inspired by his Make America Great Again (MAGA) political movement, the president called for "Make Iran Great Again" (MIGA) - and hinted that the autocratic Ayatollah Ali Khamenei could be ousted. Trump wrote on Truth Social: "It's not politically correct to use the term, 'Regime Change' but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!" Trump's post came despite his MAGA administration repeatedly saying the US is not looking for a regime change in Iran. Though the Israelis have expressed great interest in toppling the top Islamist leadership in Tehran, something they think would bring peace in the Middle East. Trump's No2 JD Vance yesterday said that the administration's view "has been very clear that we don't want a regime change." He told NBC's Meet The Press: "We do not want to protract this or build this out any more than it's already been built out. We want to talk to the Iranians about a long-term settlement here." Speaking of the US bombings in Iran, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said: "This mission was not and has not been about regime change." Trump last night hailed the US military bombing on Iran's key nuclear facilities, saying the strikes "obliterated" Tehran's doomsday program. He said that the US military took the "bomb out of Iran's hands" and caused "monumental" damage to Tehran's nuclear ambitions. But the Islamic Republic - hurt and wounded - has vowed to retaliate by striking US targets in the Middle East. Tehran retaliated to the US bombing by approving steps to close the Strait of Hormuz - a bottleneck entrance to the Gulf where nearly a quarter of the oil shipped around the world passes through narrow waters. Attempting to choke off Gulf oil by closing the strait could send global oil prices skyrocketing and derail the world economy. It would also invite an almost certain conflict with the US Navy's massive Fifth Fleet based in the Gulf, which is tasked with keeping it open. Meanwhile, Ali Akbar Velayati, an advisor to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said bases used by US forces could be attacked in retaliation. 'Any country in the region or elsewhere that is used by American forces to strike Iran will be considered a legitimate target for our armed forces,' he said in a message carried by the official IRNA news agency. 'America has attacked the heart of the Islamic world and must await irreparable consequences.' Tehran has so far not followed through on its threats of retaliation against the US - either by targeting its military bases or trying to choke off global oil supplies. But that may not hold up. Trump warned that further action could be taken if Tehran doesn't agree to an adequate peace deal, or tries to harm American interests. He said in a nationally televised speech at the White House: "Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace. If they do not, future attacks will be far greater and a lot easier." "There will be either peace or there will be tragedy for Iran far greater than we have witnessed over the last eight days." Stay up to date with the latest on Israel vs Iran with The Sun's live blog below...

Telegraph

15 minutes ago

• Telegraph

Trump agitates for regime change to ‘make Iran great again'

Donald Trump has appeared to agitate for new leadership in Iran. The US president on Sunday suggested a 'regime change' would take place if its leaders were 'unable to make Iran great again'. His comments came just hours after vice president JD Vance and defence secretary Pete Hegseth stressed that Washington was not seeking to topple the Iranian government following US air strikes on its nuclear facilities this weekend. 'It's not politically correct to use the term, 'Regime Change,' but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime change?' Mr Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. Referencing his 'Maga' (Make America Great Again) movement, he added: 'MIGA!!!' Since striking Iran in the early hours of Sunday, Mr Trump has pressed the country not to retaliate and urged it to return to the negotiating table immediately. At a press conference at the Pentagon on Sunday morning, Mr Hegseth declared: 'This mission was not, has not been, about regime change.' 'We don't want a regime change,' Mr Vance said a short time later. 'We do not want to protract this.' He added: 'We want to end the nuclear program, and then we want to talk to the Iranians about a long-term settlement here.' Senior US officials have warned that forcing out Iran's government would leave a power vacuum and result in another protracted American war in the Middle East. Danny Danon, Israel's ambassador to the UN, said on Sunday that Israel would like to see regime change in Iran but would not seek to engineer it. 'That's for the Iranian people to decide, not us,' he said. Also on Sunday, John Bolton, Mr Trump's former national security adviser, claimed Iran was 'on the verge' of regime change following the US attacks and said the president would be forced to use 'brutal force' if Tehran retaliated. Mr Trump previously vetoed an Israeli plan to kill Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, American officials revealed last week. In the early hours of Sunday the US launched strikes on Iran, hitting three nuclear bases at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan. Mr Trump described the action as 'a spectacular military success' that had 'completely and totally obliterated' Iran's nuclear enrichment facilities. He said in an earlier Truth Social post: 'We had a spectacular military success yesterday, taking the 'bomb' right out of their hands (and they would use it if they could!) but, as usual, and despite all of the praise and accolades received, this 'lightweight' Congressman is against what was so brilliantly achieved last night.' Israeli officials on Sunday said they believe Iran's heavily-fortified nuclear site at Fordow sustained serious damage from the strikes but had not been completely destroyed. A US official told the New York Times it had been taken 'off the table'. Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, issued a more conservative assessment than the president on Sunday. He said Iran's nuclear capabilities had been 'degraded' and 'set back from a technical standpoint', but stopped short of saying they had been outright destroyed. On Sunday, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, claimed Israel was 'close' to wiping out Iran's nuclear programme and ballistic missiles. He vowed not to be dragged into a 'war of attrition with Iran', saying: 'When we achieve our objectives, the fighting will stop.'

Daily Mirror

23 minutes ago

• Daily Mirror

UK military bases on 'highest level' red alert after US bombing of Iran

The British armed forces are on the highest level of alert for drone strikes after the US bombing of Iran, the Defence Secretary has confirmed British forces stationed throughout the Middle East have been placed on heightened alert for potential drone strikes after the US airstrikes on Iran, as per Defence Secretary John Healey. Healey has affirmed that protection of UK Armed Forces is now at "highest level" amid escalating concerns that the US action might ignite a broader conflict, as published in The Telegraph. ‌ Since the strikes took place early Sunday morning, security measures at British bases in the Middle East have been significantly intensified, with staff preparing for the possibility of not only drone attacks but conventional rocket and missile assaults too. ‌ The increased state of alert also comes at a time of growing worry over threats to UK bases both domestically and abroad. On Saturday, a British national was apprehended in Cyprus under suspicion of conducting espionage on an RAF base for Iran, closely following an incident where two pro-Palestinian activists infiltrated RAF Brize Norton and caused damage to two planes, reports the Express. In his column for the newspaper on Sunday, Mr Healey penned: "The safety of UK personnel and bases is my top priority. Force protection is at its highest level, and we deployed additional jets this week." Senior defence officials are particularly cautious of the use of drones following an event where Ukrainian drones wreaked havoc on 40 Russian aircrafts –including those capable of carrying nuclear warheads– across Russia. With the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Russia's employment of Iranian-made Shahed drones has led to widespread power outages and significant destruction of infrastructure. ‌ The Shahed-136's explosive payload, originally designed to demolish buildings, can now also deliver lethal fragmentation or thermobaric blasts. Iran has recently deployed these drones against targets in Israel. Earlier this month, Sir Keir Starmer confirmed that additional RAF jets would be dispatched to the region to enhance security. British bases in the Middle East include RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, where 14 RAF jets are currently stationed, as well as naval hubs in Bahrain and Oman and shared airbases in Qatar and the UAE. Potential extra security measures could involve increasing armed guards, issuing live ammunition and deploying more radar systems. The US acted independently in its strikes on Iran, and so far Iran's threats of retaliation have been solely directed at America. It is understood that British bases are not yet preparing for any immediate, targeted attack, but the heightened alert reflects the broad range of threats - from rockets to improvised explosive devices - that UK forces could potentially face.